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Show IOO.OOOI tali Child. .-., I.ii.d. iiii( l Prole, ted A United States immunization survey shows that more than 100.000 I'tah children may be inadquately immunized against polio, a I'tah Department of Social Services official said According to Dr Taira Fukushitna. deputy director of health for the disease control branch, so many unprotected children increase the likelihood of outbreaks of polio in r i.i 1 1 In 1977, 20 cases of polio were reported in the U.S. of these cases. 17 resulted in paralysis No cases of polio were reported in Utah. Fukushima noted polio may be caused by three types of viruses All can cause paralysis. "However, paralysis does not occur as frequently as most people believe. Much more common is a polio in its nonparalytic form," he stressed. A live virus vaccine given by mouth is available for protection against polio. The vaccine is routinely given to infants and children up lo age 18 and is highly effective, provided the initial series and recommended boosters are received. Fukushima recommended infants receive two doses of oral vaccine in the first vear of life, preferably at 2 and 4 months of age. Boosters are given at age 18 months and between 4-6 years, preferably prior to daycare or school entry. However, polio immunizations can begin at any time up to age 18. Adults are not routinely immunized against polio in the United States. He noted that a "killed form of polio vaccine now is available for those children who cannot receive the live virus polio vaccine " "The killed vaccine, commonly called the Salk' vaccine, was the first formulation of polio vaccine introduced in 1954 " "However, the live form or 'Sobin' vaccine is recommended for routine use in infants and children." Dr. Fukushima said immunizations are easily available throughout Utah from family doctors, pediatricians and local health department clinics." |